With the draft just one week away, the Philadelphia Eagles will be selecting 22nd overall with a total of six picks. Philadelphia has one pick in every round except for the sixth. This will be the Eagles' second draft under Chip Kelly, and there are some things that need to be addressed.
The Eagles had the 11th-best offense in terms of yardage in NFL history last season according to Reuben Frank on 94WIP, but their leading receiver DeSean Jackson was cut, is that loss going to hurt the Eagles offense? We'll see, but the real question is the defense, the Eagles were consistently beat through the air and sometimes on the ground. Will Philadelphia try and shore up the defense?
Major Needs
Safety
Currently, the Eagles have Earl Wolff, Malcolm Jenkins, and Nate Allen at safety. Wolff is a good young player, but he is not a viable starter for 16 games at this point in his career. Jenkins was a free agent signing, and will be used in more of a coverage role. Nate Allen has not been the same player since his rookie season. The Eagles need to address the last line of defense in the early rounds, and hopefully land a starter.
Cornerback
The depth chart features a lot of NFL-caliber players such as Cary Williams, Brandon Boykin, Bradley Fletcher, and Nolan Carroll, but only one of them is a top cornerback in Brandon Boykin. The cornerbacks are not a weakness for Philadelphia, but it is certainly not a strength. With the depth at the position, the Eagles will take a look at some of the better corners in the draft.
Pass Rusher
Some may think, Trent Cole, Connor Barwin, and Vinny Curry are good pass rushers. They are at times, but the Eagles need a consistent rush to take the pressure off the secondary. There is almost no team in the NFL that can cover anyone for four seconds or more, and the Eagles' pass rush allowed that to happen way too much last season. It is almost certain that the Eagles will draft a pass rusher in the top three rounds.
Wide Receiver
After Jackson was cut there became an immediate void at wide receiver. Jeremy Maclin and Riley Cooper will be the two starters for Philadelphia, so the Eagles need to add some playmakers at the wide receiver position. Luckily for them, this is the best receiving class we have seen in a long time.
Day One Targets
Hasean Clinton-Dix, Safety, Alabama
The Eagles need a safety, bad. Clinton-Dix is widely regarded as the best safety in this class and the Eagles could use him right away if he falls to 22. He will start right away, and the Eagles' faithful will hope that he can be the next great safety in the NFL.
Kelvin Benjamin, Wide Receiver, Florida State
Benjamin has been much-discussed in the last few months in Philadelphia. Regardless of how anyone views him, Chip Kelly is on record saying "big people beat up little people" and it showed when he signed some mammoth human beings last season.
Kyle Fuller, Cornerback, Virginia Tech
If Fuller did not have injury concerns, he would be considered with the top defensive players in the draft. If he can fall to 22, the Eagles will have to take a long look at him, considering he could be a number one corner in Philadelphia right away.
Anthony Barr, Edge Rusher, UCLA
Barr has potential, probably the most in the class with the exception of a few top talents. But, he is incredibly raw and has issues winning at the line of scrimmage. While he is not a favorite prospect of many, the Eagles will have to look at him because of the ceiling. Let's hope they go in another direction
Day Two Targets
Deone Bucannon, Safety, Washington State
The link between Bucannon and the Eagles has been discussed a lot in the last month or so, and if the Eagles need a safety in the second or the third round, he could be a solid fit. As a player, Bucannon needs to vastly improve his routes to the ball.
Cody Latimer, Wide Receiver, Indiana
Latimer has been the fastest riser in the last few weeks, being from a program who could not express his talents. But, Latimer has taken a visit with a ton of NFL teams, Eagles included, and Philadelphia could take him if he falls to them in the second round.
Chris Borland, Inside Linebacker, Wisconsin
DeMeco Ryans and Mychal Kendricks are not as good as some may think, and Ryans is not getting any younger. Borland is a tackling machine with a knack for the ball and could be a good fit in Billy Davis' defense right away.
Marcus Smith, Edge Rusher, Louisville
Smith can rush from almost anywhere on the field, and that versatility is exactly what the Eagles look for on either side of the ball. If Smith is there in the third round, do not be surprised to see the Eagles jump at the opportunity to land him.
Pierre Desir, Cornerback, Lindenwood
Desir is one of the better small-school players we have seen, and may not last past the top 50. But if he falls and the Eagles still need a corner, Desir would be a great value and starter right away.
Mid-to-Late Round Targets
Gabe Ikard, Center/Guard, Oklahoma
There has been some buzz in Philadelphia about the Eagles being high on the Sooners' lineman. In the fifth round, he can add depth along the interior line.
Josh Huff, Wide Receiver, Oregon
This is not a pick based on the Oregon connection, but Huff is a perfect fit. He can play inside or outside, and can be a force in the slot. In Mobile, he dominated each and every day and it showed on film. As a fourth round wide receiver, Huff will contribute right away.
Logan Thomas, Quarterback, Virginia Tech
Thomas has all the physical tools to be a quarterback in the NFL, but he needs to put it together. If by some chance he falls to the late rounds, the Eagles could take a flier on him and have him develop behind Foles.
Final Seven-Round Mock
1. Kyle Fuller, Cornerback, Virginia Tech
2. Cody Latimer, Wide Receiver, Indiana
3. DeMarcus Lawrence, Edge Rusher, Boise State
4. Antone Exum, Safety, Virginia Tech
5. Gabe Ikard, Center/Guard, Oklahoma
7. Jeff Janis, Wide Receiver, Saginaw Valley State